Partial DenturesTigard, OR

When tooth loss is a problem that you have to face, it’s often one that you can’t stop thinking about – not because you don’t want to, but because you can’t. Tooth loss brings with it a variety of hard to ignore issues that range from annoying to downright no fun! Fortunately, we here at Lisa Gitelson, DMD and David Wilson, DMD, we offer partial dentures to our patients who face partial tooth loss. Partial dentures are comfortable, affordable, and easy to have placed.

What is a partial denture?

A partial denture is a removable dental appliance that visibly replaces lost teeth in your smile. When people hear the word “dentures” they often associate it with big, clunky, complete dentures. Partial dentures are only similar to complete dentures (which are meant to be a full tooth replacement option) in that they replace some missing teeth in your mouth. Partial dentures are supported by the surrounding natural teeth in your mouth and held in place with either wires, or clasps, or both.

Benefits of Partial Dentures

When tooth loss is an issue that you face, it can bring with it a number of issues that are no fun. Partial dentures can give you back a number of health benefits as well as the self-confidence to smile.

Because they rely on the surrounding teeth for support, they are often extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day.

Getting Partial Dentures

When you come into our office to be fitted for partial dentures we will first go over any concerns that you may have regarding the procedure. Preparation to receive a partial denture requires that any damaged or decaying teeth that are still in the site to be occupied by the partial, be extracted. Once the site is ready, we will take an impression of it so that we can send it to our dental lab. The lab will use this impression to create a perfect replica of the teeth that are missing in your mouth.

Once we have the impression we can place the supporting structures for the partial on the back of your teeth. Depending on the teeth that the partial will be replacing, we will use different supporting wires and clasps. Once we finish the prep work we can fit you with a temporary partial denture to be worn while we are having the permanent partial created.

Once the permanent dentures are ready it will be time to come in and have the final touches placed on them.

Care of Dentures

Dentures do require a certain amount of special care. All dentures must be taken out at night and placed in a liquid – either water or denture soaking solution will do. Denture soaking solution provides the added benefits of fighting bacteria and combating bad odors. Depending on the teeth that are replaced you may need to remove your dentures to eat.

It’s important to brush your dentures with a special brush made specially for denture care as regular toothbrushes can damage the relatively soft (compared to teeth) material that makeup dentures.